Owner Audrey Turley offered a moving homage to Galopin Des Champs after the celebrated chaser’s retirement was officially confirmed on Thursday. The ten‑year‑old gelding, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins, will be remembered as one of the most beloved National Hunt athletes of the modern era. Over the course of his career he amassed an impressive twelve Grade One victories, highlighted by back‑to‑back Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs in 2023 and 2024 and a remarkable three‑peat in the Irish Gold Cup from 2023 through 2025.
The final chapter of his racing story unfolded in February when he attempted a fourth Irish Gold Cup win. He finished a respectable third, a result that turned out to be his last appearance on the track. A subsequent setback forced his connections to withdraw him from what would have been a sixth run at the Cheltenham Festival in March, sealing his retirement. In total, Galopin Des Champs recorded fifteen wins from twenty‑six starts, a strike‑rate that places him among the elite.
Turley, who co‑owns the black gelding with her husband Greg, said the memories they have gathered will stay with them forever. "We've had the best time of our lives, we really have," she told the Press Association.
"We never thought this would happen to us. We've had the most wonderful time." When pressed to identify a single day that stood out above the rest, Turley admitted it was impossible to choose. "Three Irish Gold Cups and the two at Cheltenham, it's hard to pick out one. Every time it was just a wonderful surprise, it was just magnificent," she said.
She later added, "I don't know if I could say one day, maybe the first Cheltenham Gold Cup as that was just extraordinary – like something out of a dream, the joy it brought. The other day was in Leopardstown when he won the third Irish Gold Cup.
Everybody was singing, 'ole, ole, ole' and that just made the hair stand up on the back of our necks." The affection for Galopin Des Champs extends far beyond the racecourse. Fans continue to flood Instagram and TikTok with messages of longing. "People love him and we still have people coming up on Instagram and TikTok saying, 'we miss him, we miss him'.
He was so well loved and deserved to be loved, he was just wonderful," Turley noted. She described the horse as an unassuming character who seemed to relish every moment of his career. "Everybody did take to him and he was an unassuming character really when you think of it, but he just loved it – I think he enjoyed every bit of it himself." Looking ahead, Turley revealed that Galopin Des Champs may embark on a second career in the equestrian world.
"He's actually gone over to Ruby Walsh's family and his daughter Isabelle is going to see what he does in that arena, so we'll see if something happens out of that. They'll retrain him and see what happens. If he likes it he can do it, if he doesn't we'll have another plan and that's the way it is – it's all about him, whatever he wants to do," she explained. At eleven years old next year, the former champion remains in excellent physical condition, giving his new caretakers plenty of options.
While the Turley silks will no longer be adorned by Galopin Des Champs, the stable still boasts promising talent. One such prospect is King Rasko Grey, who delivered another Cheltenham Festival victory in the previous season’s Turners Novices' Hurdle. "King Rasko Grey has just come back in from the summer and is looking fantastic, so we have high hopes for him," Turley said.
"He did so well in Cheltenham obviously and he's looking like a good horse. He has very big boots to fill, but we won't have another Galopin – he's one of a kind, a diamond.
We'll enjoy it whatever happens." The retirement of Galopin Des Champs marks the end of an era for National Hunt racing, yet his legacy will endure through the stories told by his owners, trainers, and the legion of fans who cheered his every stride. As he transitions to a new chapter—whether in the paddocks of Ruby Walsh’s family or another equestrian discipline—those who have followed his career can take comfort in knowing that a true champion’s spirit continues to inspire, both on and off the track.